Restoration Day at the Rio Conventions Pavilion: UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15)

Ecosystems support all life on Earth. The healthier our ecosystems are, the healthier the planet – and its people. However, in recent decades, ecosystems have been subject to persistent degradation and loss, threatening the livelihoods, wellbeing, food and water security, and resilience of millions.

Many countries and communities now recognize the urgent need for restoration, including through negotiations on the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. Whether in managed or natural ecosystems, restoration activities can only be sustained by targeted government policies and budget outlays. There is also a need for considerable shifts in consumer demand and corporate investment, as well as more inclusive and responsible governance – all of which must come together to support regenerative ecosystem management on-the-ground.

Led by the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, and hosted at the Rio Convention Pavilion, this full day event has supported the Decade’s rallying call aiming to prevent, halt and reverse the degradation of ecosystems on every continent and in every ocean. As a broad and inclusive network of partners, the UN Decade strengthens the national commitments to the three Rio Conventions to combat biodiversity loss, climate change and land degradation, and can help to end poverty, only succeeding if everyone plays a part.

Following a high-level opening and a scene setting session, highlighting the Rio linkages on restoration, core sessions have been organized into topics mirroring the UN Decade Task Forces: Best practices; Youth; Monitoring; Science and traditional knowledge; and Finance. Each of these sessions has included short presentations from different organizations, Q&As and/or panel discussions. World Restoration Flagships have been announced throughout the day, with spokespeople highlighting the realities of implementing restoration on-the-ground, focussed on the theme of the relevant session, and showcasing how restoration actions are contributing to the Rio Conventions.

To submit your own events focused on ecosystem restoration or the UN Decade click here.

Restoration Day at the Rio Conventions Pavilion: UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15)